Users tend to be split into two camps. On one side are folks like Steven "Woz" Wozniak, Apple, Inc. (AAPL) co-founder, who takes the perspective that Windows 8 (and its mobile brethren Windows Phone) are wildly innovative. "The Woz" commented in a recent interview, "I've seen more of the type of innovation (from Microsoft) where you see something: 'Whoa - they really changed things drastically. Whoa - they aren't even going the same direction as everyone else' - meaning the iPhone and Android operating systems."

He tries to buck the inevitable hate train that's coming down the tracks in his direction, telling Microsoft fans (which he claims to himself be one of):

Because this column is very critical of Microsoft's main product, some people will no doubt accuse me of being an Apple fanboy or a Microsoft hater. I'm neither. I switched from Macintosh to Windows many years ago and have been very pleased with Windows 7.

I have nothing against Microsoft. I happen to think that Windows 7 is a good product and that Windows 8 is a misguided one. I derived these conclusions from first principles of human–computer interaction theory and from watching users in our new research. One doesn't have to hate or love a company in order to analyze its UI designs.

I'll stay with Win7 the next few years and hope for better times with Windows 9. One great thing about Microsoft is that they do have a history of correcting their mistakes.

Of course there are plenty of counterarguments to his points. For example, blaming Microsoft for poorly designed live tiles or uncreative overly similar flat tiles is perhaps unfair. Many gestures have backup keyboard shortcuts for traditional PCs. Mobile-heavy users have already gotten used to hidden multi-tasking so hiding windows isn't the end of the world. Graphically rich themes may pack less information, but they encourage users to dig in and grab more information. The double desktop only becomes a hindrance if you have to keep going back to the traditional desktop as a crutch.

Our survey shows that roughly half of readers (45 percent) have made the upgrade to Windows 8, but a significant remaining portion (36 percent) have strongly negative opinions about it and no plans to upgrade, comparing it to such loathed releases as Windows ME or Windows Vista.

The number of people who want touchscreen monitors are miniscule. Hold your arm out straight in front of you for even one minute. Then imagine holding your arm out for hours at a time when using a PC. Laptops/Ultrabooks would also require unsupported arm reaching. Tablets, since they sit flat on a lap or can be manipulated with fingers when held in another hand, require far less effort and strain.